Our Rising Oceans (2015)
Our Rising Oceans is a documentary that plunges into the heart of our planet’s most critical environmental crisis: climate change and its profound impact on the world’s oceans. Released as part of VICE on HBO, this eye-opening film takes viewers on a journey from the icy expanse of Antarctica to the vulnerable coastal communities of Bangladesh.
Here are the key takeaways from this compelling documentary:
- Ocean as a Carbon Sink:
- The ocean acts as Earth’s largest carbon sink, absorbing excess heat and energy released by rising greenhouse gas emissions.
- Approximately 90% of the heat generated by these emissions has been absorbed by the ocean.
- This excessive heat warms the ocean, triggering a chain reaction of consequences.
- Sea-Level Rise:
- Accelerated sea-level rise is a direct result of increasing ice loss in polar regions.
- Recent data from the World Meteorological Organization reveals that global mean sea level reached a new record high in 2021, rising an average of 4.5 millimeters per year from 2013 to 2021.
- Tropical cyclones and storm surges are now more frequent, causing deadly events like flooding, erosion, and landslides.
- Marine Heatwaves:
- Marine heatwaves have doubled in frequency, becoming longer-lasting, more intense, and widespread.
- Human influence has driven the observed increase in ocean heat since the 1970s.
- These heatwaves devastate coral reefs, leading to widespread coral bleaching and reef degradation.
- In 2021, nearly 60% of the world’s ocean surface experienced marine heatwaves.
- Coral Bleaching:
- The UN Environment Programme warns that every coral reef could bleach by the end of the century if warming continues.
- Coral bleaching occurs when reefs lose their life-sustaining microscopic algae due to stress.
- A global bleaching event, spanning from 2014 to 2017, affected the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans.
- Impact on Biodiversity and Livelihoods:
- The ocean’s changes reverberate through marine ecosystems, affecting biodiversity.
- Coastal communities, including 680 million people in low-lying areas, face threats from rising seas.
- Approximately 2 billion residents of coastal megacities are at risk.
- 3.3 billion people depend on fish for protein, and nearly 60 million work in fisheries and aquaculture.
- Global Consequences:
- The melting of Antarctica’s massive western glaciers poses a significant threat.
- Antarctica holds 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of its freshwater.
- Even a small fraction of Antarctic ice melting could reshape our world’s coastlines.
Our Rising Oceans transcends geographical boundaries, urging us to recognize our shared responsibility. From climate conferences to climate deniers, this documentary covers all facets of the issue. It concludes with a special interview featuring Vice President Joe Biden.
As we navigate this critical juncture, let us heed the call to protect our oceans—the lifeblood of our planet.
